March 28, 2008

"NCBA President applauds resumption of live cattle exports to Mexico: GROSETA"

On March 27, USDA announced an agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada to harmonize trade protocols to allow the United States to export live cattle breeding stock to Mexico. In November 2007, the United States agreed to allow Canadian breeding stock born in or after 1999. But until this agreement, U.S. cattle exports to Mexico were limited to dairy heifers under 24 months of age.

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Andy Groseta (GROW-SET-UH) says the agreement represents an important breakthrough.

Clip #1:   :10        Out cue: "… heifers into Mexico."

Groseta, a rancher from Cottonwood, Arizona, says he’s already hearing from fellow cattlemen who are excited to sell cattle into this market.

Clip #2:   :14        Out cue: "… border open now."

He added that cattlemen in Mexico have also been anxious to get the border open, because they need quality breeding stock to rebuild herds that were reduced earlier in this decade due to drought.

Clip #3:   :19        Out cue: "… for everybody involved."

This issue became more controversial when Mexico began accepting a wider range of cattle from Canada than from the United States. When this disparity was discovered, state officials in Texas, Arizona, California and New Mexico closed their export facilities to Canadian cattle being shipped to Mexico. Groseta praised the actions of these state cattlemen’s associations and state officials, as well as the efforts of USDA and NCBA.

Clip #4:   :26        Out cue: "… for making this happen."